Most Popular Posts

56 Up!

As you may know, the Up series is a series of eight fascinating documentary films that has tracked the lives of fourteen English schoolchildren since 1964, when they were seven years old. Every seven years, the director Michael Apted releases a new documentary that checks in on their increasingly varied lives (when they're aged 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49...). The children all came from very different socio-economic backgrounds, and the director, Michael Apted, wanted to see how this would affect their futures.

The documentary films are wildly compelling—you follow these people as they graduate from school, move cities, find jobs, lose jobs, have children, get married, have affairs, dash their dreams, find happiness, lose their way, face whatever life brings. Each episode, you think you know where their lives are headed, but I've been shocked, thrilled and devastated to see certain updates. The most recent installment—56 Up—came out in England this past May, and I've been waiting with baited breath for it to reach the United States.

Well, 56 Up is finally released today! (Right now I see showtimes for just New York, but it should be hitting more cities on January 18th.) Film critic Roger Ebert called the films, "Brilliant! The 'Up' series is on my list of the 10 greatest films of all time." He also wrote a great overview here.

**Opens January 4 in New York**Opens January 18 in Los Angeles**Opens January 25 in San Diego & Hartford, CT**Opens February 1 in Chicago**Opens February 8 in Boston, Seattle, Minneapolis & Atlanta**Opens February 15 in San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael, Denver,Washington DC, St. Louis & Bellingham, WA**Opens February 22 in Philadelphia & Cleveland**Opens March 15 in Houston**Opens April 11 in Madison, WI

I've heard of this series, but I haven't watched it yet. Perhaps I'll start on it this weekend. Those little kids are so, so cute!! I kinda wish we still dressed our kids like they did in the 50's/60's.

My parents began taking me to see these when I was a kid and I'm totally hooked on them. I finally got around to 49 the other week and found it interesting how difficult they find these interviews to be, how many of them found the documentary to be an interruption to their lives. But they're endlessly fascinating, and they give me lots of hope, as many of them seem to have found a great deal of happiness as they've grown older.

I just saw the trailer last night and I can't wait to see it! I first heard about the series in college, then forgot about it, then couldn't find it when I finally remembered to check it out. I'm so excited to see it!

For C and anyone else interested in catching up on the series, you can stream all the installments on Netflix! That's how I discovered them several years ago, and I was instantly hooked. It's incredible how riveting -- and moving -- it can be simply to observe the passage of time in ordinary lives... I've been so excited about the latest installment; thanks, Danielle, for the wide-release info!

I absolutely love the Seven Up series! Watched various installments growing up and it's just addictive, isn't it? I blogged about it last month actually -- I'm tempted to re-watch the previous seven before this one is out! Here's a list of other cities it's playing in: http://firstrunfeatures.com/56up_playdates.html

great news! my boyfriend and i were already planning to watch the entire series (on Netflix!) this winter. i'm putting the Chicago date for the 56 screening in my calendar as a finale to our viewing.

might i recommend His & Hers, a documentary focusing on Irish women and their relationships with men throughout life - fathers, brothers, boyfriends, husbands, and sons. it is such a wonderful and touching documentary about how life and love evolves.

I am a 48 year old Brit and have followed this as long as I can remember - it is the best documentary series, it would never be commisioned now - funding, permissions etc but it is brilliant. Go see it!

I watched these back to back when the last installment came out and found it riveting! I was especially fascinated by Neil and am wondering what has happened to him in the last 7 years. Also interesting is seeing how the class system in Britain is still very much prevalent.

I watched it when it aired last year(sounds strange to say last year!) it's a fascinating insight into the lives of ordinary people through the years,and I agree,you think you know the outcome,but often there are surprises and disappointments!

I feel like I've been growing up with these kids too, I've been watching since I was a child so I always want to know how they're doing. There's one particular man who always breaks my heart - neil. What I find so interesting is how one decision, one bit of good luck or bad luck can change the course of someone's life. on the upside - i love how some of the women look better today than they did 30 years ago! There's hope for us all!

I've watched this all my life (I'm British) and look forward to every new series with great anticipation. I find Neil's life story particularly heartbreaking. He was such a beautiful and appealing little boy. I always hope his situation has improved and he has found happiness.

This is such a great idea! I heard of it for the first time and I need to see them now. And I would love to share another great documentary with you: Breathing Earth - Susumu Shingus dream by Thomas Riedelsheimer. http://vimeo.com/55090719He is a german filmmaker, maybe you know one of his films about Andy Goldsworthy (Rivers and tides) or Evelyn Glennie (Touch the sound). He also has a very interesting project called 'Be invited' where he shares a new little film every monday with the purpose to give yourself a pause and maybe some inspiration. http://www.be-invited.de/Home.htmlHope you enjoy this as well! Thanks for your great recommendations Joanna!

What a coincidence!!! I've never heard of this until I accidentally came across it on YouTube a month ago and thought "Wow. I love the proper way these English children speak. So cute". Never knew it was an ongoing documentary. I will have to check the rest of them out on Netflix.

My husband did some research in school recently after watching this series. He ended up contacting one of the "kids" now a professor in Wisconsin. He replied back and was very helpful answering questions my husband had for him! Cool thing:)

about eight years ago my friends and i got obsessed with this series and got together a couple times a week to watch them ALL. we were glued. then 49 up came out, so satisfying to pick right up where we left off. i can't believe it's already been seven more years and i am so excited to see what's become of these old friends.

Very exciting project! Thank you for sharing. We are living in London and never heard before about this series. Same day of your post we ordered 56 up and the box of the previous movies. Can not wait to wath! Thank you again.

It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I've learn this publish and if I could I desire to suggest you some attention-grabbing things or advice. More tags:wow gold buy cheap

Have you seen this recent interview on the huffington post? http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/56-up-reality-tv/50eb802078c90a05df0000c1. came across it because one of my friends is one of the guys in it randomly.

excited to see the latest installment! Thanks for sharing otherwise I would have missed this entirely!

It takes strength to do what must be done when the work is unpleasant and uncomfortable [url=http://scarletbladegold.com]scarlet blade gold[/url], It takes strength to persist in the face of obstacles, when it would be much easier to simply give up [url=www.gameim.com/product/Scarlet_Blade_Gold.html]scarlet blade gold[/url], It takes strength to be polite to someone when that person has been rude to you[url=http://scarletbladegold.com]scarlet blade gold[/url].

The past is gone and static. Nothing we can do will change it.scarlet blade gold, the future is before us and dynamic. Everything we do will affect it rs gold, You laugh at mescarlet blade gold for being different , but I laugh at you for being the same.

The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past rs gold. To change your future, alter your decisions today Runescape gp, Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards rs gp, but it takes character to keep you there.